Broome County town clerk quits, cites gay marriage opposition

BARKER, N.Y. (AP) — A town clerk in upstate New York says she's resigning over her religious opposition to gay marriage.

Laura Fotusky submitted a letter of resignation to the town board in Barker on Monday, saying her religious beliefs prevent her from signing a marriage certificate for a gay couple, as she'd be required to do as a municipal clerk. The letter was published on the website of the Christian lobbying group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms.

The 56-year-old Republican has served since 2007. She says she'll step down on July 21, three days before New York's law allowing same-sex marriage takes effect.

Volney Town Clerk Barbara MacEwen told local media outlets last month she opposed gay marriage on religious grounds but would follow the law.